Grateful Dead

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My first Dead show, also my seventeenth birthday, also the day I got my driver's license- all that would be special enough for me, but when I listen to the show...The band were truly on fire that night, especially for 80s Dead. This is a standout 80s show, based upon the energy level alone. Opening with PITB, and a pretty good one at that, and then into Crazy Fingers- huh?? I'm more of a second-set enthusiast, and their first set is, by song selection and jamming strong enough to stand as a typical second set of that era. One of the best West LA Fadeaways I've ever heard; ditto with the Throwing Stones (at this time both fresh entries in the band's repertoire as well, as well as the Touch of Grey), and, for the 80s, among the best LLR, Samson and Delilah, NFA, Good Lovin, etc. Great drums and space- really, nearly everything played was strong or top-notch for that era. To my ears, Jerry and the drummers were especially ON; unfortunately I hear very little of Phil in the recordings I've heard, my favorite of which is Hunter Seamons' very good matrix edition, and to which I also offer a shout-out for all of my gratitude for all of his excellent matrix contributions to the archives. I've never understood why this hasn't yet been an official 80s release, given the energy level and interpretations- a weak, bass-shy vault recording? some moments of sloppiness, and Jerry's voice being sub-optimal? As someone noted on archive.org, there's a melancholy lyrical slant to the song selection, and I hear it in Jerry's playing at points, too, but such a beautiful spirit. Perhaps a trivial detail, but a telling one about the unusual atmosphere, if I correctly recall- Weir wearing a faded tie-dye at this show. Does anyone else recall this? At my end, two small paper snoopy prints internally accompanied me to the concert, if you know what I mean, so maybe I'm imagining that last bit. It's no wonder that this show, and my next two (very strong overall performances at the Meadowlands, with Steve Stills as special guest, in April, '83- just listen to the full PITB from the second night (very long and even better than the Garden version), especially in regards to Brent's marimba-toned additions later on in the piece), got me and kept me on the bus.

This show is full of fun moments. Love the opener even though done earlier in the tour at Cap center, still has punch. Was my very 1st time in the big city alone. Well not really alone once at the Garden. I can still recall sitting outside the Garden smoking a bowl of Hash with a few other freaks when a NYC police officer turned the corner . We threw the bowl on the ground and he came over and asked "what's the matter stuffs no good?". I said to myself this is for sure the big city cops don't have time to waste on us . As far the show itself I was blown away and enjoyed the heck out it . Even though had been on much of tours this year it all still seemed so very new back then. We were calling the new songs by different names cause no one knew the proper titles for at least a month or so. Ashes Ashes and we will survive. Think we got West L A correct but didn't add the fade away to it yet. Was just west L A. Day Job was easy to figure out . I happen to only miss 5 day jobs in all of the times that it was played and over played. Back then threw the early 80's It seemed as if we got Day job every other show. Even though was only played 29 total times.

It's absolutely true, you have to feel it to believe it. The only other band that I ever felt make the Garden move was Pearl Jam, and that was long after this... But the Dead did it every time... I remember quite well John Scher's band intro, and also there was a film crew on stage for Playin In The Band. What a way to open a show, into the greatly anticipated Crazy Fingers which we had all heard about being broken out that summer! And I finally got to hear China/Rider - my all-time favorite... Also another highlight for me was High Time. Just super-sweet stuff. Take a look at the 'fan' photo - what a great shot. Bob and Jer in that red light, I can see them like it was yesterday... Thanks to the Phellow Phreak who posted it... Ex #10